Circuit controlling device



June 2, 1931. R. B. HUNTER ET AL CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed June 23, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. M B. mule/b. BY C. I

A TTORNEYI J1me 1931. R. B. HUNTER ET AL CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed June 23, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INjIgEfi/TOR. 3M c1? ATTORNEY.

June 1931- R. B. HuNTEl ET AL 1,808,229

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed June 23, 1928 3 SheetsSheet 5 I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNE Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BIQHARD B. EUN'IER OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSINIAND ROBERT C. PAUIIY, OF CIN- CINNA'II, OHIO, ASSIGNORS, BY MISNE ASSIGNMENTS, .lO CUTLER-HAMMER, INC A CORPORATION OF I DELAWARE CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE Application filed June 28,

This invention relates to improvements in circuit controlling-devices, and more particularly to improvements in operating mechanism for switches adaptedto control the driving motors of ironing machines or garment presses and the like.

In the control of motor operatedgarment presses of the type herein contemplated it is desirable to provide for operation of the press to apply pressure to the clothes'or other goods upon movement of a manual control lever or the like in one direction, and to eifect release of such pressure upon movement of said lever in the opposite direction. This pressure may be provided by means of a motor having a toggle COIlIlEC-r tion with the movable element of the press. The motor therefore operates unidirectionally for both applying and releasing the pressure, and hence the same circuit for the motor must be completed twice and interrupted twice during each complete cycle of operation of the press. Also it is desirable to provide means operable automatically in response to positioning of the movable element of the press at each limit of movement thereof to efl'ect interruption of the motor circuit independently of the manual control lever. i

An object of the invention is to generally improve and simplify circuit controlling devices of the aforementioned character.

Another object is to provide a switch and operating means therefor to adapt the same for present purposes, and including means for effecting operation of said switch with a snap action to make or break circuit.

Another object is to provide improved means for subjecting the driving motor to automatic control at certain points in the operating cycle of the press, and including means for rendering the manual means ineffective for interrupting the motor circuit during a predetermined portion of such. cycle of operation.

Another object is to provide auxiliary means for insuring against completion, or

for efiecting interruption, of the motor circuit during a given manual adjustment of the movable element of the press.

1928. Serial No. 287,844.

aforementioned which may be applied to existing machines or devices without requiring modification or reconstruction of the parts of the latter.

Another and more specific object is to provide a switch and operating mechanism. of rugged and durable construction, and adapted to perform certainnovel and improved functions, as hereinafter described.

Other objects and advantages of the vention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention which will now be described, it being understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction of the embodiment illustrated without-departing from the spirit of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings; Figure 1 is a side el'evation of a motor operated garment press having our improved circuit controlling device applied thereto.

Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are more or less diagram; matic illustrations .of certain parts of the device in different operative positions thereof.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of our improved circuit controlling device, with the swltch in closed position.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the device, with the respective parts in the positions illustrated in Fig 5, certain of the being broken away for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of certain of the parts shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the elements of the device in a different operative relation wherein the circuit is broken.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 6 and 8,"

but showing the elements of the device in still another operative relation wherein the circuit is completed.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of certain parts of the auxiliary interlocking control means illustrat'ecl in Figs. 5 and 8.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the motor driv parts on cams forming part of the control mechanism, and 1 Fig. 12 is a detail view of certain elements of the switch actuating mechanism.

Referring first to Flg. 1, the numeral ]5 designates generally a garment press which may be of any suitable type or construction,

2 said press as shown comprising a substantially stationary press member 16 and a movable press member 17. Member 17 1s carried by a lever 18 pivoted at 19 to a bracket 20, and an extension 21 of lever 18 is pivotally connected at 22 to a member 23 in which one end of a lever 24 is slidable. Lever 24 is pivotally connected at 25 to a lever 26, the latter being pivoted at 27 to a suitable bracket or base 28. Also pivoted at 25 is a rod or lever 29 which is reciprocated in the usual manner b means of a suitable cam or the like (not s own) to operate the levers 24 and 26 in the manner of a toggle for raising and lowering the movable press member 17. The usual coiled spring 30 may be interposed between a shoulder 31 on lever 24 and the member 23.

The aforementioned cam which eflfects r'eciprocating movement of rod 29 is in turn driven by a suitable motor 32, and with the" mechanical arrangement of. parts as just described it will be understood that motor 32 is adapted to be operated in the same direction for both raisin and lowering the movable press member 1 Hence it is necessary or desirable to provide a control switch which is operable to complete the same circuit for the motor irres ective of whether the movablg press mem er 17 is to be raised or lowere The manual control means for the switch 40 will be best understood by reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Thus as shown in each of these figures the operating mechanism comprises an arrangement of levers including a plurality of fixed pivot points 33, 34, 35 and 36. The switch as shown preferably comprises at least one pair of stationary contacts 37 and 38, adapted in one position of the switch to be bridged by a rollercontact 39 or the like carried by'the lever 40 which is secured to and oscillatable with the shaft aforedesignated as fixed pivot point 33.

Although other types of driving motors may be emplo ed, we have herein shown the motor 32 as o the polyphase type, and hence (as best shown in Fig. 5) the switch comprises at least two sets of stationary contacts 37, 38 and a corresponding number of roller contacts 39. Under these conditions it is of 'course necessary or desirable that the several branches of the motor circuit be subject to simultaneous and instantaneous control to avoid the possibility of single-phasing. Accordingly we have provided simple means for insuring-operation of the movable contact or contacts 39 with a'snap action. Said means as shown comprises an arm 41 keyed or otherwise rigidly attached to the shaft 33 and preferably arranged on the latter at an angle to the contact lever 40, said arm 41 having an abutment 42 adapted to recelve one end of a coiled compression spring 43, the other end of said spring being likewise adapted to receive or engage the free end 44 of a lever 45 which is pivoted at 34. The details of construction and operation of the parts 'ust mentioned will be more specificall escribed in connection with Flg. 12.

hus upon movement ot the free end 44 of lever 45 below the center of rotation of shaft 33 the roller contact 39 is moved with a snap action from the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4 to the position shown in Fig. 3 whereby the motor circuit is interrupted; whereas upon movement of the free end 44 of lever 45 in the opposite direction past such center the roller contact 39 is moved with a snap action from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4 for completing the motor circuit.

The operating means for lever 45 (as best shown in Fig. 5) may comprise an axially spaced integral arm 45, said arm 45 having a lever 46 pivoted thereto at 47, said lever 46 being also pivotally connected at 48 to one arm 49 of a lever 49 which is pivoted at 35. The other arm 49 of said lever 49 is pivotally connected at50 to a lever 51; the latter being pivotally connected at 52 to one arm 53 of a bell-crank lever which is ivotally supported at 36 by a suitable brac et 54. The other arm 55 of said bell-crank lever forms the operating handle of the switch, whereby the position of the latter is subjected to manual control.

Upon intermediate positioning of the operating handle 55, as shown in Fig. 3, the levers 46 and 49 are brought into substantially vertical alinement, thus causing movement of lever 45' to its extreme lower position which effects opening of the switch. On the other hand, movement of the operating handle 55 to its upper extreme position, as shown. in Fig. 2, causes clockwise movement of arm 49 of lever 49 which acts through lever 46 to raise lever 45 to its upper extreme position for closin the switch. Similarly, upon movement 0 handle 55 to its extreme lower position, as

shown in Fig. 4, arm 49 of lever 49 is moved in a counterclockwise direction, thereby also acting through lever 46 to raise lever 45 to its upper extreme position for closing the switc We also preferably provide means for normally biasing the switch operating mechanism from one of its extreme positions to the position illustrated in Fi 3 wherein the motor circuit is interrupted, said means as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprising a rod 56, pivoted at 57 to arm49'f of lever 49 and reciprocably supported in bearings 58 and I threaded onto the outer end of said rod.

Lever 49 is thus biased to move in a counterclockwise direction to the intermediate position illustrated in Fig.3 wherein the motor circuit isinterrupted. Further movement of lever 49 in a counterclockwise direction under the bias of spring 61 is opposed by means comprising a double-cone cam 63 carried by rod 56,the small ends of the double cone cam being adjacent to each other. Co-operating with said cam is a rod 64 which is biased by means of compression spring 65 whereby said rod normally tends to center said cam upon release of operating handle 55. Similarly upon movement of handle to either of its extreme positions, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, for completing the motor circuit the cam 63 acts to depress the rod 64 against the action of spring to release a suitable brake 66 associated with the motor.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that with the control elements positioned as shown in Fig. 1 the motor is de-energized whereas the movable member 17 of the press is in its extreme raised position. On the other hand, Fig. 3 shows the control elements positioned in a like manner, but with the movable member 17 in its extreme lower position. It will likewise be apparent that in the absence of other control elements the energizing circuit of the ,motor might be maintained indefinitely by merely holding the handle 55 in either of its extreme positions, thus causing the member 17 to move alternately and continuously from one extreme position to the other. It is desirable, however, to provide means for insuring lowering movement of member 17 only upon movement of handle'55 to its extreme upper position, as shown in Fig. 2,

and also to insure raising movement ofmember 17 only upon movement of handle 55 toits extreme lower position. The

means last mentioned mustalso operate automatically to effect and stopping of the motor when member 17 reaches its extreme raised or extreme lowered position. The importance .of such an arrangement will be obvious to those skilled in the art, inasmuch as it is ordinarily desired that the movable member of the press shall remain in either of its ex treme positions for a period dependent upon the will ofthe operator; whereas it would be extremely difficult to manually control stopping of the motor with exactness at .each limit of movement of the movable member.

de-energization The features of construction and operation of our device are illustrated in detail 'in Figs. 5 to 12, inclusive, and we will now proceed more specifically to describe the -same,like parts in the several figures having been designated by like reference numerals. Thus as aforeindicated the fixed pivot point 33' referred to in connection with Figs. 2 to 4 actually comprises a shaft 33 (Fig. 5) having cylindrical end portions 67 and 68 rotatably supported in bearing brackets 69 and 70 on a wall 71 of a frame which may also include walls 72, 73 and 74. Said frame is preferably a metal casting forming, in conjunction with the hinged sheet metal cover member 75, a housing for the switch and switch operating mechanism.- Shaft 33 is provided intermediate the ends thereof with a portion 76 of square or otherangular cross section to which each of the .contact levers 40 is clamped, as by means of a member 77 and screws 78; said portion 76 being provided with wrapped or laminated insulation 79 to insulate levers 4O fro e'ach'other and from said shaft.

The cylindrical end 68 of shaft 33 (Fig. 5) is extended beyond the bearing bracket 70, and to the same is secured, as by a key 80 or the like, the arm 41, said arm having an angularly extending portion 81 carrying the abutment 42. Abutment 42 (Fig. 12) is adapted to bear against the recessed'end of a flanged member 82 inserted within one end of the coiled spring 43. A similar flanged member 83 is inserted within the other end of coiled spring 43 and said member is also recessed to provide a bearing for the rounded end 44 of lever 45. Member 82- is provided with an integral projection 82 which telescopes into a cooperative projection 83 on member v82to prevent buckling of the coiled spring-43 when compressed.

The pairs of stationary contacts 37, .38 are supported in the usual or well known manner by conductive brackets 84, '85, respectively, which brackets are in turn secured to an insulating base or panel 86 attached in spaced relation to wall 71, as by means of integral projections 87, 88 on the latter. As shown the brackets 84 are each secured to panel 86 by means of screws 89 and 90, whereas each of the screws 90-is provided with nuts for clamping engagement with a flexible conductor 91 extending to the con-- tact 37, and also for-clamping engagement with one of the circuit wires. Each of the brackets 85 is likewise secured to panel 86 by means of screws 92 and 93,each of the screws 93 being provided with nuts for 7 suitable fuses to be mounted upon an insulating panel 95 secured in spaced relation to the frame wall 73'. One of such fuses is illustrated at 96 in Fig. 5, together with suitable terminal connections 97 and 98 therefor; whereas it will be understood that two of such fuses would be mounted upon the panel 95. For clarity of illustration, such fuses are omitted from the showing of Figs. 6, 8 and 9. 4

In Figs. 5 and 6 the parts are positioned in the manner diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2; whereas in Figs 8 and 9 the parts are positioned as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, respectively. Thus the stationary pivot point 34 comprises a pin or shaft secured to the frame wall 72, and the hub 99 of integral lever arms 45 and 45' may be rotatably held upon said shaft 34 by means of a cotter pin 100 or the like. As aforeindlcated one end of lever 46 is connected to leverarm 45, as by means of a pivot pin 47, said pin being held in position by means of a cotter pin 101. Similarly the other end of lever 46 is connected to lever arm 49 as by means of a headed pivot pin 48 which is held in position by a cotter pin 102. (Figs. 5 and 9). I

As shown, the lever arm 49 is provided with a hub portion 103 which is rigidly se cured to shaft as by means of a key 104. Shaft 35 is rotatably supported by a bracket 105 (Fig. 5) which is preferably formed integral with the side and top walls 72 and 74 of the frame or housing; sections 106 and 107 of bearing metal being preferably lnterposed between the shaft 35 and said bracket. As shown, the forward portion of shaft 35 is preferably enlarged to provide a shoulder which bears against a washer 108, and the opposite end of said shaft extends beyond the frame or housin and has so cured thereto, as by means 0 key 109, the lever arm 49?.

Preferably formed integrally with the hub 103 carrying the lever arm 49 1s a yoke lever 110, said lever havin arms 111 and 112. Secured to the end 0 lever arm 111, as by means of'bolts 113, is a block 114 of steel or other suitable wear resisting .ma terial; and a similar block 115 is secured to the end of lever arm 112 by means of bolts 16. Also formed integrally with the yoke'lever 110 is a web portion 117 to which a lever 118 is pivotally secured, as by means ofa headed bolt 119 and cotter pin 120. One side of lever 118 is provided with an abutment121 and web portion 117 is provided with an angular extension 122 having an abutment 123, between which and the abutment 121 a coiled compression spring 124 is interposed. Thus the lever 118 is normally biased to move in a counterclockwise direction, whereas such movement is limited by engagement of an extension 125 of lever 118 with apin 125 secured to and.

projecting laterally from the lever arm 112. Yoke lever 110 is also provided with spaced inte ral lugs or projections 126 and 127 adapte to cooperate with a stop pin or bolt 128 secured to the wall 72 of the frame to limit, the range of oscillating movement of said yoke lever. A

Formed integrally with the wall 73 of the frame are a pair of brackets 129- and 130-within which a pin 131 is secured, as by means of cotter pin 132. Pin 131 is thus adapted to pivotally support a lever 133, said lever having integral feet or ex tensions 134 and 135 arranged on opposite sides of the center of, rotation thereof,- said extensions being respectively adapted to engage the ends of ad us table screws or bolts 136 and 137 extending inwardly through tapped openings in said wall 73. Nuts 138 and 139 are also preferably provided to lock screws 136 and 137 in their adjusted positions, respectively. By the means just described the range of oscillation ofthe lever 133 is definitely limited.

The free end of lever 133 is in the form of a yoke 140 (as best illustrated in Fig. 6), said yoke having a pin or shaft 141 secured thereto as b means of cotter pin 142. Rotatably earned by the shaft 141 is a roller 143. Integral with the lever 133 and extending upwardly therefrom at an angle thereto is an arm 144 having an angular portion 145 to which a block 146, preferably of tool steel, is secured by means of screws 147 ,a similar block 148 being likewise secured to lever 118 by means of screws'149. Arm 144 is thus adapted under certain conditions hereinafter described to engage lever 118 whereby the yoke 110 is automati- %a lly held in the position illustrated in 1g. 6. We have provided means operable automatically to interrupt the motor circuit 06nnections at each limit of movement of the press member 17, to insure against initiation of operation of member 17 in a given direction except upon given positioning of manual control lever 55 (Figs. 1 to 4), and to provide for full-automatic control of operation of the motor during a given portion of the operating cycle of the press. Said means as best shown in Fig. 11 may comprise a rotatable shaft 150 to be driven by motor 32 in synchronism with the movement of rod 29. That is to say, the shaft 150 is given'one complete turn during each complete reciprocating cycle of rod 29. Se-

cured to shaft 150 in a definite an ular re- I lation thereto, as by means of a ey 151, is a hub member 152 beyond which a threaded portion 153 of said shaft extends.

Preferably formed integrally with the hub member 152 is a body 154 having a surface 155 concentric with the shaft' 150. Extending laterally from the body 154 are ch a pin 158 issecured, as bymeans of a cotter pin 159. Carried by the pin 158 is a roller 160 which is arranged in advance of the surface 155 (shaft 150 being rotated in a clockwise direction under all conditions, as indicated by arrows in Figs. 6, 8, 9 and 11) ,it being noted that the shaft 150 and parts carried thereby are omitted from the showing of Fig. 5, to clarify the illustration of other elements of the device.

A nut 161 is adapted to engage the threaded end 153 of shaft 150 whereby hub member 152 is held against longitudinal displacement with respect to said shaft Nut 161 is provided with an extension 162 which may be of circular cross section as illustrated, and to said extension is secured a member 163 having portions thereof separated, as by means of a saw cut 164, and adapted to be drawn together into clamping engagement with said extension by means of a screw 165. Prior to tightening of the screw 165, however, a screw 166 carried by member 163 is adapted to be engaged within a tapped opening in the body 154 whereby the cam portion 167 of member 163 is definitely positioned angularly with respect to roller 160 and surface 155.

Operation of our device will now be more specifically described with reference to the various figures. Thus with the parts in the respective positions illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein the movable press member 17 is in extreme raised position and the manual control lever 55 is in its intermediate or neutral position as shown, it will be understood that the various elements of the switch operating mechanism will likewise be in the respective positions illustrated in Fig. 8,except that the shaft 150 and the roller 160 and cams 155 and 167 carried by said shaft will be in the angular position shown in Fig. 6. With cam 155 in the angular position just mentioned and with yoke 110 in the intermediate position illustrated in Fig. 8, it will be apparent that said yoke and the lever arm 49 associated therewith cannot .be moved in a counterclockwise direction, due to engagement of block 114 carried by the arm 111 of yoke 110 with the cam surface 155 or roller 160. It follows that under the conditions set forth manual control lever 55 can only be moved upwardly, since the yoke 110 is free to move in a clockwise direction. Upon such upward movement of lever 55 the parts will be positioned as illustrated in Fig. 6 to complete the motor circuit connections in the manner aforedescribed.

Operation of the motor causes lowering movement of the member 17 of the press, and the roller 160 and cams 155 and 167 are rotated in a clockwise direction to a degree corresponding with the degree of movement of member 17 If the manual control lever 55 is released at an time during a predetermined portion 0 the downward movement of member 17, the spring 61 acts automatically to bring the various elements to the respective positionsillustrated in Fig. 3, with consequent interruption of the motor circuit connections. Sprin 65 also acts to immediately apply the bra e 66 to stop the motor and the member 17 driven thereby.

The aforedescribed arrangement provides for a high degree of safety in operation of the press. Moreover, the angular position of the cam surface 155 under such conditions would still be such as to prevent counterclockwise movement of yoke 110, so that the manual control lever must again be moved to and held in its extreme upperposition to effect completion of the downward movement of the member 17.

On the other hand it is desirable to insure completion of'the downward movement of member 17 after it has reached a position relative to press member 16 such that there is no danger in permitting the operator to release the lever 55,whereby a predetermined portion of the'operating cycle of the press may be carried out automatically. Thus as shown in Fig. 6 upon given angular positioning of cam 167 the latter is adapted to engage the roller 143 carried by lever 133. Lever 133 is thus caused to rotate in a clockwise direction so that the block 146 carried by portion 145 of "arm 144 is moved through a predetermined arc to engage the block 148 on lever 118, whereby the latter is likewise moved in a clockwise directlon against the action of its biasing spring 124. The yoke- 110, to the integral web portion 117 of which the lever 118 is pivoted and against the angular extension 122 of which the other end of spring 124 bears, is thus latched against counterclockwise movement, even though the manual control lever 55 is released, since the force of springs 124 and 43 will then predominate over the combined forces of the springs 61 and 65 aforementioned,

In the manner just described the switch controlling the motor circuit will be held closed pending. disengagement of lever 118 from arm 144. Such disengagement will result from continued rotation of shaft 150 carrying roller 160 and earn 155. Thus the roller 160 will first engage the surface 168 of block 1.15 and cause movement of yoke 110 in a counterclockwise direction against the action of spring 124. Such movement of yoke 110 likewise results in upward bodily movement of lever 118, so that when roller 160 and cam 155 are in a predetermined position the lever 118 will have moved upwardly sufliciently to cause disen gagement thereof from the lever arm 144, so that yoke 110 is freed for movement to its intermediate position under the bias of spring 61 (Figs. 1 and 2) substantially simultaneously with the movement of the yoke to such intermediate position through' .associated parts to intermediate position.

The motor circuit is therefore broken and the brake applied automatically when the movable member 17 reaches its downward .limit of movement, and the various parts of the control mechanism will then be positioned as shown in Figs. 3 and 8.

It will be noted that with the cam 155 in the position shown inFig. 8 the yoke 110 cannot be moved in a clockwise direction; and the motor circuit can therefore only be completed by moving the manual control'lever' 55 downwardly from its intermediate position to cause movement of yoke 110 in a counterclockwise direction to the sition illustrated in Fig. 9, thereby raismg the lever to its upper position for again closing the switch. The toggle spring connection 43 between the free end 44 of .lever 45 and the abutment 42 whereby both ment is such that toggle spring 43 will act to maintain the parts in the respective positions illustrated in Fig. 4 pending automatic return of levers 49 and 55 to intermediate position at the limit of upward travel of member 17. During the aforementioned upT'ard movement of member 17 it is likewise possible to interrupt the motor circuit connections by manually returning the lever 55 to its intermediate position; and cam 155 will then be in such position that it will prevent movement of yoke 110 in a clockwise direction, so that the motor circuit can only be completed by again depressing the lever 55 to provide for continued movement of member 17 toward its upper extreme position. When such extreme position of member 17 has been reached, the cam roller 160 and cam surface 155 will have been brought into engagement with the surface 169 of block 114, thus forcing the yoke 110 to its intermediate position to 35 move lever 45 to its extreme lower position mouse whereby the switch is again opened and the brake applied. v

As shown in Figs. 5, 6, 8 and 9 the lever 45 is preferably provided with a laterally extending lug 170 adapted for cooperative engagement with a lug 171 on lever arm 41. on the opposite side of the center of oscillation of the latter whereby positive disengagement of the bridging contact rollers 39 from their respective stationary contacts is insured in the event of freezing or sticking of the contacts or breaking of spring 43. Under normal conditions, however, the toggle spring 43 will effect disengagement of the contact rollers 39 prior to co-operative engagement of lugs 170 and 171.

We have described one complete cycle of operation of the press and of the control means therefor, it being understood that upon manual or automatic interruption of the motor circuit connections after a given part of the cycle of operation has been effected. the various control elements are reset to insure completion of the subsequent portions of the cycle in proper sequence.

Under certain conditions it may be desired to effect manual adjustment or operation of the press member 17 with respect to the stationary press member 16. Moreover, it is extremely desirable to insure against possible closure of the motor circuit connections during such manual adjustment of the provlded such manually operable adjusting means together withauxiliary interlocking control means "for insuring interruption of the motor circuit connections before the manual adjustment can be effected. Said means as shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 10 may comprise a clutch shaft 172 which is adapted when moved inwardly to a predetermined degree to engage a co-operating clutch element (not shown) within the reduction gear box 173. Fixed to the outer end of shaft 172 as by means of a pin 174 is a hub portion 17 5. Formed integrally with or otherwise associated with the hub 175 is a handle 176 by means of which said shaft 172 may be rotated.

Also preferably formed integrally with hub 17 5 is a disk portion 177 having a flat peripheral edge 178. On the inner face of said disk is a cam 179 having a surface which curves outwardly from a point 180 adjacent to shaft 172 to a point 181 radially coinciding with the peripheral surface 178 of disk 177. A spring 182 is interposed between the end 183 of the shaft housing and the cam 179 whereby shaft 172 is normally biased to effect disengagement of the clutch elements. Normally resting upon the cam surface at the inner end 180 thereof is a member 184 which preferably extends laterally at substantially a right angle with respect to the arm 185 of alever pivotally press member 17. We have therefore supported, as indicated at 186 upon the wall 72 of the switch frame. Another arm 187 of said lever extends upwardly at a suitable angle to the arm 185, said arm 187 having spaced projections 188 and 189 adapted upon upward movement of arm 185 (toward the position thereof indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6' and in full lines in Fig. 10) -to respectively engage the lever arm 49 or a lug 190 integral with the latter (depending upon the position of arm 49*, as best illustratedin Fig. 10), whereby said arm 49 is moved to its intermediate position to cause opening of the switch in the manner aforedescribed. Such upward movement of arm 185 is effected by movement of the handle 176 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 6, whereby the portion 184 is carried outwardly to a degree sufficient to permit the peripheral surface 178 of disk 177 to slide thereunder. The handle 175 and the shaft 172 may thereupon be pressed inwardly against the bias of spring 182 to effect engagement of the clutch elements,- and upon subsequent rotation of shaft 172 by means of the handle the rod 29 will be moved to effect the desired adjustment of member 17 of the press. On the other hand it will be noted that member 184 is adapted for co-operative engagement with the inner surface of disk 177 to prevent inward movement of the latter and of shaft 172 pending engagement of the high portion of cam 179 with said member 18 1; thereby insuring intermediate positioning of lever arm 49 for effecting and maintaining disengagement of the switch contacts. In accordance with the usual practice a manually operable clutch lever may be 10- cated at the front of the press in .spaced relation to lever 55,manual control of said clutch lever being required during certainportions of the cycle of operation of the press, whereby said clutch lever and lever 55 (to-operate to safeguard the press operative by requiring use of both hands. However, the details of construction and operation of said clutch-lever form no part of the present invention and hence specific disclosure thereof herein is deemed unnecessary.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. In an electric switch, in combination, a stationary contact, a pivoted contactor movable into and out of engagement with said "stationary contact, a lever pivoted eccentrically with respect to said contactor, spring means interposed between the free end of said lever and said contactor and adapted upon movement of said lever in opposite directions respectively to effect corresponding movement-of said contactor with a snap action, means for effecting such movement of said lever comprising another pivoted lever having a toggle connection with said first lever, said toggle connection being adapted upon movement of said second lever to a given intermediate position to effect movement of said first lever in one direction, and said toggle connection being also adapted upon movement of said second lever in either direction from said intermediate position to effect movement of said first lever in its opposite direction.

2. In an electric switch, in combination, a

stationary contact, a pivoted contactor mov able into and out of engagement with said stationary contact, a pivoted lever the free end of which is movable to opposite sides of the center of oscillation of said contactor, a coiled spring interposed between the free end of said lever and said contactor to insure movement of the latterin opposite directions with a snap action upon corresponding 'movement of said lever, means for effecting the aforementioned movement of said lever in opposite directions comprising another lever, said second lever having a toggle connection with said first lever, spring means biasing said second lever from one extreme position to a given intermediate position to effect movement of said first lever in one direction to disengage said contactor, and

manually operable means for effecting movement of said second lever in opposite directions from said intermediate position, whereby said first lever is moved in a direction to cause engagement of said contactor.

3. In a circuit controlling device,in combination, a stationary contact, a pivoted contactor movable into and out of engagement with said contact for making and breaking an electric circuit, means for effectingsuch in a direction opposite to the first mentioned direction of movement of the latter.

4. In a circuit controlling device, in combination, a stationary contact, a pivoted con,- tactor movable into and out of. engagement with said contact for making and breaking an electriccircuit, means for effecting such movements of said contactor with a snap action, said means comprising a pivoted lever and a spring toggle connection between said lever and said contactor, actuating means for said lever, said actuating means comprising a second pivoted lever having a toggle connection with said first lever, means for biasing saidsecond lever from one extion to effect movement of said first ever in a direction to cause disengagement of said contactor, said second lever being also adapted upon movement thereof in either direction from such intermediate position to efiect movement of said first lever in a direction opposite to the first mentioned'direction ofmovement of the latter to cause engagement of said contactor, and manually operable means included in said actuating means for controlling the operation of said second lever.

5. In a circuit controlling device, in combination, a stationary contact, a pivoted contactor movable into and out of engagement with said contact for making and breaking an electric circuit, means for effecting such movements of said contactor with a snap act-ion, said means comprising a pivoted lever and a spring toggle connection between said lever and said cont-actor, actuating means for said lever, said actuating means comprising a second pivoted lever having a toggle connection with said first lever, means for biasing said second lever from an extreme position to a given intermediate position to effect movement of sa d first lever in a direction to cause disengagement of said contactor, said second lever being also adapted upon movement thereof in either direction from such intermediate position to effect movement of said first lever in a direction opposite to the first mentioned direction of movement of the latter to cause engagement of said contactor, manually operable means included in said actuating means forcontrolling the operation of said second lever, and power operated means predominating over said manually operable means to return said second lever to said intermediate position.

6. In a controller for the driving motor of a garment press or the like wherein one member of the press is movable alternately toward and-away from the other member thereof under conditions of unidirectional operation of the driving motor, a switch for controlling the energizing circuit of said motor, said switch comprising a stationary contact and a contactor movable from one extreme position to the other with a snap action for respectively making or breaking said circuit, actuating means for said contactor, said means comprising a pair of levers having fixed pivot points, a connection between said levers whereby movement of one of said levers to a given intermediate position effects movement of the other lever to one extreme position for breaking said circuit and movement of said first mentioned lever in either direction from said intermediate position efiects movement of said second mentioned lever to its opposite extreme position for making said circuit, means for operation of the driving motor, a switch for controlling the energizing circuit of said motor, said switch comprising a stationary contact and a contactor movable from one extreme position to the other with a snap action for respectively making or breaking said circuit, actuating means for said contactor, said means comprising a pair of levers having fixed pivot points, a connection between said levers whereby movement of one of said levers to a given intermediate position effects movement of the other lever to one extreme position for breaking said circuit and movement of said first mentioned lever in either direction from said intermediate position efiects movement of said second mentioned lever to-its opposite extreme position for making said circuit, manually operable means for moving said first mentioned lever in either direction from its intermediate position, and means for restricting said 'lever to movement in a given direction from said intermediate position after each operation of the driving motor.

8. In a controller for the driving motor of a garment press or the like wherein one member'of the press is movable alternately toward and away from the other member thereof. under conditions of unidirectional operation of the driving motor, a switch for controlling the energizing circuit of said motor, said switch comprising astationary contact and a contactor, movable from one extreme position to the other with a snap action for respectively making or breaking said circuit, actuating means for said contactor, said means comprising a pairlof levers having fixed pivot points, a connection between said levers whereby movement of one of said levers to a given intermediate position effects movement of the other lever to one extreme position for breaking said circuit and movement of said first mentioned lever in either direction from said intermediate position affects movement of said second mentioned lever to its opposite extreme position for making said circuit, manually operable means for moving said first mentioned lever in either direction from its intermediate position, and means for restricting said first mentioned lever to movement in a given direction from saidintermediate position aft-er each operation of the driving motor, said last mentioned means being also operable automatically to forcibly connected with said contactor to effect corresponding movements of the latter, a second pivoted lever having a connectlon with said first lever whereby upon movement of said second lever to a given intermediate position said first lever is moved to one of 1ts extreme positions and upon movement of said second lever in either direction from said intermediate position said first lever is moved-to its opposite extreme position, manually operable means for moving said second lever in opposite directions from said intermediate position, a yoke associated with said second lever, and a power operated cam cooperating with said yoke for intermittently returning said second lever to its intermediate osltion against the ;action of said manually operable means.

10. In a circuit controlling device, in combination, a pivoted contactor movable to opposite extreme positions to respectively make or break circuit, actuatin means for said contactor comprising a plvoted lever movable to opposite extreme positions and connected with said contactor to efiect corresponding movements of the latter, a second pivoted lever having a connection with said first lever whereby upon movement of said second lever to a given intermediate position said first lever is moved to one of its extreme positions and upon movement of said second lever in either direction from said intermediate position said first lever is moved to its opposite extreme position, manuall'y operable means for moving said second lever in opposite directions from said intermediate position, a yoke associated with said second lever, and a power operated cam cooperating with said yoke for intermittently returning said second lever to its intermediate position against the action of said manually operable means, said cam thereupon also acting to limit said second lever to movement in one direction from said intermediate position.

11. In a circuit controlling device, in comblnation, a pivotedcontactor movable to op posite extreme make or break circuit, actuatin means for said contactor comprising a pivoted lever movable to opposite extreme positions and a compression spring interposed between the free end of said lever and said contactor to effect corresponding movements of the latter with a snap action, a second pivoted lever having a to gle lever connection with said first lever wiereby upon movement of positions to respectively 1 said second lever to a given intermediate position said first lever is moved to. one of its extreme positions and upon movement of said second lever in either direction from said intermediate position said first lever is moved to its opposite extreme position, means for biasing said second lever from one extreme position to said intermediate position, manually operable means for movlng said second lever in opposite directions from said intermediate position, a yoke associated with said second lever and having dependin arms extending on opposite sides of sa1d lever in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of the latter,- a power operated cam, and means adapted upon given anlgular positioning of said cam to latch said yo e and said lever in a given operative position independently of sa1d manually operable means, said cam being thereafter operable automatically to release said latch and to forcibly return said second lever to its intermediate position.

12. In a controller for the driving motor of a garment press or the like wherein one member of the press is movable alternately toward and away from the other member thereof under conditions of unidirectional operation of the driving motor, the combination with a switch movable with a snap action to closed or open position to complete or interrupt the energizing circuit of said motor, manual and automatic operat-' ing means for said switch comprising a pivoted lever movable to a given intermediate position to open said switch, said lever being also movable in either direction from said intermediate position to close said switch, manually operable means comprising a crank and a normally disengaged clutch for effecting movement of said movable member ofcthe press independently of the driving motor, and a cam and lever associated with said last mentioned means for insuring intermediate positioning of said first mentionedv lever to open said switch prior to engagement of said clutch.

' n witness whereof, 'we have hereunto subscribed our names.

RICHARD B. HUNTER.

ROBERT C. PAULY. 

